Ravens' John Harbaugh makes Justin Tucker announcement on release decision after draft
The Baltimore Ravens are currently uncertain about Justin Tucker's future with the team amidst an ongoing NFL investigation into allegations of sexual misconduct involving 16 massage therapists. Despite being the NFL's all-time leader in field-goal percentage, Tucker had a challenging 2024 season with a career-low performance. The Ravens have prepared for a potential change by drafting Tyler Loop, the first kicker ever selected by the franchise with an actual draft pick. Head coach John Harbaugh emphasized that any decision regarding Tucker will be based solely on football considerations, as the team has yet to receive any information from the investigation. The Ravens are expected to make a decision on Tucker's status once more information becomes available, indicating his tenure with the team might be nearing its end.
Justin Tucker is under investigation by the NFL for allegations of sexual misconduct involving 16 massage therapists, putting his future with the Baltimore Ravens in question.
Despite being the NFL's field-goal percentage leader, Tucker experienced a significant decline in performance in 2024, achieving a career-worst 73.3 percent success rate on field goals.
In anticipation of potential changes, the Ravens drafted Tyler Loop in the sixth round, marking the first time the franchise has used an actual draft pick on a kicker.
Head coach John Harbaugh stated that decisions about Tucker's future will be made based on football merits, as the team lacks information from the investigation.
Tucker has been present at the Ravens' facility recently, aware of the possibility of a new kicker joining the team, and the organization is prepared to wait for the investigation's outcome before making any final decisions.
The drafting of Tyler Loop suggests the Ravens are considering moving on from Tucker, pending the results of the ongoing investigation and his recent performance issues.
John Harbaugh emphasized the importance of football-related criteria in decision-making regarding player status, independent of external factors such as ongoing investigations.
The Baltimore Ravens haven't yet decided what they're going to do with Justin Tucker.
But head coach John Harbaugh explained how he plans to make his decision when he met with reporters on Sunday.
"Every decision we make has to be made on football," Harbaugh said.
The NFL is investigating Tucker on allegations of sexual misconduct. He has been accused of inappropriate behavior by 16 massage therapists, according to the Baltimore Banner.
Tucker is the NFL's field-goal percentage all-time leader, but he struggled in 2024 to a career-worst 73.3 percent on field goals.
The Ravens drafted Tyler Loop in the sixth round out of Arizona. Loop is the first kicker ever taken with an actual draft pick by the franchise.
MORE: Eagles fans stressing over A.J. Brown photos without Jalen Hurts
Tucker has been around the facility the last few weeks, and the Ravens said earlier this week that Tucker knew a kicker draft pick might be coming.
“As you know, Justin’s been in the building the last couple of weeks kicking and everything,” Harbaugh said Sunday. “Got a chance to talk a little bit. I would just say, from the standpoint of the investigation and all that, we don’t know anything. We haven’t been given any information. As it should be, it’s all done the way it’s done. We don’t know anything along those lines, so we can’t make any decision based on that."
Baltimore likely wouldn't have drafted a kicker if it didn't think Tucker's time was coming to an end.
Maybe the Ravens wait out the investigation, but eventually they'll have a decision to make, too.
MORE NFL NEWS:
- Dolphins' Quinn Ewers breaks silence on draft slide
- Chiefs add Patrick Mahomes' brother in signing
- Lions get concerning Aidan Hutchinson injury update
- Breaking down a potential Brock Purdy contract
- Cowboys QB ripped for bad habits by NFL insider
- How Browns owner plays a role in Shedeur Sanders starting